I mentioned that I would be providing updates as we made our home more livable, so here is the next installment.

Today we had a single glazed window unit replaced with a glass brick window, effectively giving us a very colourful double glazed window.

The old window had an aluminium frame that conducted so much heat during the summer. The glass rattled and there were gaps around the frame. It was about as effective as a hole in the wall.

Single Glazed leaky window

As you can see, not a very thermally efficient window. The aluminium is an extremely efficient conductor of heat, as is the single pane of glass. Not something that is welcomed when you are trying to keep the house cool on a 40°C day in summer!

Outside view single glazed window

There were massive gaps between the brick and the window frame. You could slip a piece of thick cardboard through the gap. The gap didn’t go all the way through, but it was a gap none the less.

The new window was installed by The Glass Block Shop, which is located in Bayswater, Melbourne. Nice friendly bunch of people who were a dream to work with. I have no affiliation with them, they are just who we chose.

Anyway, Kim designed a pattern and the installer turned up today. Here are the types of glass bricks that Kim ordered.

Coloured glass bricks

They are lovely colours. Mr Man the Installer took about four hours to remove the old window and fit the new one. We were told that the old one would be recycled.

Empty window frame

Maybe we should have fitted a door instead? Just joking. With the frame installed, it was time to fit the glass bricks.

Installed Glass Brick Window

The new frame is hardwood that we will oil for the finish. The entire window looks magnificent! From this angle you can’t really see the pattern; it looks much better when there is some light shining through it.

Outside Glass Brick Window

And the outside view. No more gaps in the framework. It now completely draught proof and airtight.

Close up of our Glass Brick window

It looks absolutely stunning. This will certainly go a long way to keep the heat out!

One window down, four more double glazed units to go, which will be installed across the north of the house. Our chosen double glazing company will be measuring up next Wednesday, with installation estimated six weeks after that. We have already paid the deposit and have the rest of the money to pay the remainder, but unfortunately that is all we can afford at the moment once these are installed in the lounge, my study, and our master bedroom. We have to save up to double glaze the rest of the house.

The good news is that we have been told that we can fit secondary glazing on the three windows on the south side of the house, including the glass sliding door in Kim’s office that leads to the pool area. This will reduce the cost for these windows by about half and they should be just as thermally effective. I better start writing some more eBooks to get a bit more money in the bank!

We are looking forward to being much more comfortable at the front of the house this summer!

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To get the best coverage for our roof insulation, we had to make sure that we could get the insulation in to as many places as possible.

In our roof, this posed a bit of a problem. When we first moved into our house in 2000, one of the first things we did was install R80 style downlights. Effectively, we cut holes in our ceiling creating gaps in the air tight integrity of the home, allowing heat to escape in winter and enter in summer.

They look a bit like the sorting hat in Harry Potter! These mitts cover the downlight fitting so that the insulation can be placed around it tightly. They also stop draughts emanating from the light fittings as well.

Just a word of caution if installing these in your roof over downlights. You cannot fit them over halogen downlights because these types of lights are just too hot and may cause the mitt to smoulder. You can only use them if you use compact fluorescent lights or LED. We have a mixture of both, which emit very little heat. There is a different type of downlight mitt for halogen downlights, which are much smaller and designed for this additional heat.

I will post further updates as they occur over the next two weeks. Kim and I are very excited and hope it all goes to plan.

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Well we have gone and done it! We have taken further steps towards a more liveable home.

Kim and I have placed a deposit on the roof insulation, the double glazing at the front of the house, and paid to replace one of the lounge windows with glass bricks.

We had to tighten our belts but the great thing is that we have saved enough money by paying triple payments into the mortgage offset account, that essentially, all the work will be paid for with cash. It will just take a little longer clearing the mortgage, which I am ok with. I would rather have a more comfortable home during the extremes of summer than retire early in a hot box!

We saved some money from our workshops and I even drew down on the money I saved from eBook sales and the small amount of advertising revenue from the blog to pay for the glass brick window. Thanks to all of you who bought an eBook or looked at an ad, we can pay cash for this window as well.

The insulation gets fitted in September, and the glass brick window next week. The double glazed window units will take six weeks from when they are measured, which happens some time next week as well.

Kim designed a pretty cool glass brick pattern. I like it a lot. It will be the feature eastern window in the lounge area. It should quell her desire for a stained glass window, and make the room a little more interesting. Besides that, the bricks act like a double glazed unit and is well insulated.

So there you have it. More about the progress when the installation of each item occurs.

Oh, by the way, we are still going strong with the Brass Monkey Challenge. I will have a final update on our quest to go the entire winter without using the built-in natural gas heating once the gas bill arrives. That in itself should be an interesting exercise.

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About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

Always inspiring and entertaining!

August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

ms

July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do.
Thanks Gavin, love it!!

Well worth your time to tune in

October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast !
I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to.
Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

very good

June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

opened my eyes

May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

A wonderful show!

Inspiring

April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

Green Living, inspiring and practical

January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

Local food equals less waste

December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

Honestly australian

December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

Morning motivation

December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

Passionate Advocate

October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

Gavin speaks from the heart

October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

Green thoughts, so well iterated

October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

Easy listening inspiration on being green

September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Gavin!

August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm

August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

Green Podcasts

July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

Practical ideas and inspiration

July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

Interesting & easy to listen to

April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

Great green listen

April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese